Nagging parents, annoying neighbors, and riotous roommates who don’t know when to zip it! Finding a truly quiet study environment can feel like an impossible task. Sometimes you need to make do with what you’ve got. So how to study quietly?

This is a guide to help you create a peaceful study environment and develop effective strategies to maintain focus, regardless of your surroundings.

Here’s what you can read about – first, we’ll look at how to create the best environment for study and manage your electronic distractions. There’s a round-up of the best earbuds and headphones for studying, along with recommendations on what to listen to when studying. Then we’ll finish off with some simple soundproofing advice and tips on focusing. How does that sound?

Skip to:

• Create a quiet study space
• Best headphones for studying
• Audio for focusing
• Managing electronic distractions
• Soundproofing a room for studying
• Mental focus techniques

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Create a quiet study space

The foundation of quiet studying starts with your physical space. Here’s how to optimize it:

Choose your location carefully

If possible, dedicate a specific area solely for studying. This could be a corner of your room, a home office, or even a consistently quiet spot in your local library. 

The key is selecting a space where you have some control over the environment.

Sound management

Consider using acoustic treatments like heavy curtains, rugs, or even acoustic panels to absorb ambient noise. Position yourself away from common noise sources like doors, windows, or shared walls.

Temperature and lighting

Maintain a comfortable temperature (typically between 68-72°F/20-22°C) and ensure adequate lighting to prevent eye strain. 

Natural light is ideal, but a good desk lamp can work just as well.

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Best headphones for studying

What do you need from headphones for studying? Noise cancelation technology is a must, and a good snug fit really does count.

The rest is down to preference… and budget. So in this section we’ve picked out budget and premium picks for both noise-canceling headphones and earbuds:

Budget headphones for studying

Premium headphones for studying

Budget headphones for studying

Premium earbuds for studying

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Managing electronic distractions

Noise cancelling headphones are your academic friend, but not all electronics are good when trying to study. 

Two suggestions here – one basic, the other a little more hardline for those who want to inject some discipline into their study routine:

Notification management

👉Turn off all non-essential notifications on your phone and computer

👉 Use “Do Not Disturb” or “Focus” modes during study sessions

👉 Consider keeping your phone in another room or inside a drawer

Digital study tools

👉 Use website blockers to prevent access to distracting sites during study hours

👉 Install apps that limit social media usage

👉 Utilize productivity apps that track your focus time and study sessions

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Audio for focusing

What you listen to when studying matters. Sometimes, adding the right kind of sound can actually help create a quieter study environment:

Best music for studying

Instrumental music without lyrics gets a big yes! Also, have you ever tried classical or ambient compositions? You may not be a fan, but there might be no better music to get you ‘in the zone’ for studying.

Have a look online you can also find lo-fi study beats with consistent rhythms and binaural beats designed for focus:

White noise options

If it’s external noise that’s bothering you, how about traditional white noise machines to shut out the distraction? They do a great job of covering distracting sounds with something altogether more pleasant. 

There are also fans or air purifiers that do a good job of covering external distractions, while you find apps which play natural sounds like rainfall or ocean waves – excellent for getting you in study mode.

Then you can get brown noise machines, which produce a combination of all audible frequencies, creating effects such as rushing wind and low rumbles.

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Soundproofing a room for studying

In order to shut out external noises that are stopping you from studying, and to improve sound acoustics with your room, you can make some environmental modifications. 

• Try door sweeps – also known as door draft stoppers – to block sound from under doors. You can read more about them in our article here

• Window insulation helps to reduce outside noise – start by sealing any gaps, and then consider noise reduction curtains or a window plug. More advice on how to soundproof windows in our article here

• If you are more serious about soundproofing a study room, consider soundproofing the walls – you can do this by adding mass in the form of MLV sheets, acoustic panels, or ask a builder to add another layer of drywall. More information in our article on how to soundproof a wall

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Mental focus techniques

A lot of effective studying comes down to internal mindset. Use the following techniques to hone your study mentality to be sharp – even in loud environments!

Concentration training

Developing mental focus is just as important as managing external noise:

1. Mindfulness practices:

🧘‍♂️Brief meditation sessions before studying

🧘‍♂️ Breathing exercises during study breaks

🧘‍♂️ Present-moment awareness techniques

2. Time management:

🧘‍♂️ Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focus followed by 5-minute breaks)

🧘‍♂️ Time-blocking specific study periods

🧘‍♂️ Creating detailed study schedules

Mental preparation

We should also talk about how to prepare your mind for focused study sessions:

It helps to have a pre-study routine, so clear your desk of unnecessary items and set specific goals for each study session. 

In order to maintain focus, keep a notepad nearby for random thoughts. You can use active recall techniques and take regular, scheduled break. Always stay hydrated, and maintain adequate blood sugar levels through proper nutrition (healthy snacks between meals help!).